Foxborough, July 9 (IANS) Morocco have been dealt a big blow ahead of their crucial FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter-final clash against a strong France side, as their prime forward Ismael Saibari has been ruled out of the match due to injury. Morocco head coach Mohammed Ouabhi confirmed Saibari’s exit in the pre-match press conference on Thursday. According to Ouabhi, the forward could not recover on time after picking a hamstring injury during Morocco’s round of 16 victory against Canada. However, …
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Monterrey, June 30 (IANS) Defender Noussair Mazraoui said Morocco’s unwavering belief and composure helped them pull off a dramatic comeback against the Netherlands as the Atlas Lions advanced to the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 following a penalty shootout victory. Trailing to Cody Gakpo’s 72nd-minute strike, Morocco refused to panic and found a stoppage-time equaliser through Issa Diop before prevailing in the shootout, with Ismael Saibari converting the winning penalty after goalkeeper Yass…
Monterrey, June 30 (IANS) Morocco booked their place in the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands here at Monterrey Stadium on Tuesday. After 120 minutes of intense tactical battle ended 1-1, the Atlas Lions held their nerve from the spot to win 3-2 on penalties and continue their remarkable World Cup journey.It’s the Dutch that made the breakthrough when Cody Gakpo broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute. A wonderful run and off-bala…
Mumbai, June 20 (IANS) Bollywood dancing diva Nora Fatehi had confidently predicted a 1-0 win for Morocco at the FIFA 2026 World Cup match against Scotland. The actress of Moroccan descent shared a handful of clips and pictures from the match she attended at the Boston Stadium. Along with her prediction, Nora shared fun facts about the teams’ last meeting 28 years ago.The actress first shared a picture of herself from the stadium, dressed in a red T-shirt paired with white pleated short skirt.Sh…
Foxborough, June 20 (IANS) Morocco underlined their growing World Cup credentials with a commanding 1-0 victory over Scotland on Friday, as Ismael Saibari’s strike after just 71 seconds proved enough to send the North Africans to the top of Group C.The surprise semi-finalists of four years ago thrashed the Scots, imposing themselves from the start, pressing high up the pitch and dictating terms throughout. Morocco’s opener by Saibari – the fastest goal of the tournament to date – settled any…
Mumbai, June 19 (IANS) Former India captain and football legend Bhaichung Bhutia has shared his views ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C clash between Morocco and Scotland and opined that attacking midfielder Brahim Diaz could make the difference for Morocco. Morocco, who finished fourth at Qatar 2022, went blow-for-blow in an entertaining draw with Brazil in their opener.Speaking about the player to watch, Bhaichung highlighted Morocco’s attacking threat from the right side, backing Dia…
New Jersey, June 14 (IANS) After scoring his 10th goal for Brazil in his 50th appearance for the Selecao during the 1-1 draw with Morocco in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C match, Vinicius Junior admitted that he “wasn’t 100 percent at his best” but will improve to help Brazil more in attack. Vinicius and Ismael Saibari scored outstanding goals for Brazil and Morocco as two of the expected FIFA World Cup 2026 heavyweights traded blows in New York. This was the first match in which Vinicius has s…
New Jersey, June 14 (IANS) Morocco manager Mohamed Ouahbi said his side had laid down an early World Cup marker after a 1-1 draw with Brazil on Saturday, declaring his team was capable of more. Morocco led through Ismael Saibari’s early goal and created several problems for the five-time world champion before settling for a point in its Group C opener.”We won’t settle for this. I can promise you this is not the end,” Ouahbi told a post-match news conference in New Jersey, as quoted by Xinhua. “T…
New York, June 14 (IANS) The five-time winners Brazil and Qatar 2022 semi-finalists Morocco shared the spoils thanks to two equally brilliant goals from Vinicius Jr and Ismael Saibari in the Group C match here on Sunday.The meeting between the Brazil and Morocco, who became the first African nation to reach the last four ended in a 1-1 draw in front of a packed New York Stadium.Interestingly, this is the first match in which Vinicius Jr has scored for Brazil which has not ended in victory. The p…
Rabat, March 18 (IANS) Morocco have been awarded the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) overturned the result of the final following Senegal’s walk-off.Senegal had beaten Morocco 1-0 in the January 18 final, but the match was marred by controversy when Senegal’s players refused to continue after Morocco was awarded a stoppage-time penalty with the score level.Play resumed after a 17-minute delay. Brahim Diaz’s penalty was saved before Pape Gueye sc…